Police Commission Approves
Financial Disclosure Program

December 20, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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POLICE COMMISSION APPROVES
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE PROGRAM

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Los Angeles – Today, the members of the Los Angeles Police Commission unanimously approved a Special Order entitled “Confidential Financial Disclosure Policy and Procedures for Gang Enforcement Detail and Narcotics Field Enforcement Section Units Established.” 

The unfortunate circumstances of the Rampart corruption scandal led to the City of Los Angeles entering into a Consent Decree with the United States Department of Justice on June 15, 2001.  This Consent Decree was a direct result of a pattern of practices that represented loose management over officers, and specifically those who deal with valuable contraband or cash.  Paragraph 132 of the Federal Consent Decree states,“The LAPD shall require regular and periodic financial disclosures by all LAPD officers and other LAPD employees who routinely handle valuable contraband or cash.  The LAPD shall periodically audit a random sample of such disclosures to ensure their accuracy.  When necessary, the LAPD shall require the necessary waivers from such officers.”

Over the past six and a half years, there has been much discussion and effort by this Commission and prior Police Commission Boards to implement a financial disclosure program that will comply with both the spirit and letter of the Federal Consent Decree, as well as be agreeable to the Los Angeles Police Protective League.

A program that was acceptable to the City of Los Angeles and the United States Department of Justice was presented to the Federal Court in 2006, and was rejected by that Court.  Due to the failure to comply with this paragraph, and a number of others, the Consent Decree was extended by the Federal Court until June 15, 2009.

In the Independent Monitor's response to the court opposing this agreement, he describes the importance of Paragraph 132 in the following manner, “First, to potentially detect wrong-doing officers and employees who disclose unexplained wealth.  Second, to detect potential conflicts of interest.  Third, to detect officers and employees who are in financial difficulty in order to identify those who, because of their financial situation, might be susceptible to the temptations that routine handling of valuable cash or contraband pose.  And lastly, to serve as a potential deterrent to those in the affected units, who because of disclosure (and verification) procedures, would refrain from engaging in conduct which they otherwise might.”

The Police Commission considered this issue for a lengthy period of time while receiving input from the Independent Monitor, the United States Department of Justice, the City Attorney's Office, LAPD command staff, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, and appropriate city leaders.  While the members of the Police Commission are mindful that all parties may not concur with the Financial Disclosure Program approved today, each Commissioner is convinced that it is a necessary and mandatory procedure to reach Consent Decree compliance.

The Police Commission has made every effort to develop a Financial Disclosure Program that is both meaningful and reasonable for the affected officers.  The Commissioners are confident that the men and women of the Department are mindful that every effort be made to ensure that a repeat of the Rampart scandal not occur again.

Financial Disclosure is another tool to utilize in overseeing the Department, ensuring compliance with the Consent Decree, and creating institutional change in the Department.  LAPD has made tremendous strides in compliance with the Federal Consent Decree, one just has to read the recent Quarterly Monitor's Report.

The financial disclosure information obtained from officers will be safe.  This information will not be disclosed to the public. There has been concern that records and personal information will be readily available and at risk for identity theft.  This is simply not the case. Such information will be securely stored in Office of the Chief of Police.

Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco stated, “The Police Commission has the utmost faith and confidence in the fine men and women of the LAPD.  The unilateral implementation of a Financial Disclosure Program is not a sign of the lack of confidence in the sworn officers, rather a matter of compliance with the Consent Decree. This is one more step in making the Los Angeles Police Department the best law enforcement agency it can be.”

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CONTACT:  Tami Catania, Police Commission Staff
                  (213) 473-6390